NEW soccer league champions were crowned at the 10th edition of the Investec Soccer League (ISL) on September 15.
The finals saw Dr Beyers Naude and Lavela secondary schools going head to head in the final at the Nike Football Stadium on a windy yet sunny Saturday. The league kicked off on May 9 with a 97 match round robin tournament which concluded with Dr Beyers Naude as first-time champions and worthy recipients of the special 10-year anniversary R250 000 first prize.
Having been piloted in 2008 as the brainchild of Investec Corporate Social Investment, the ISL is fully endorsed by the Gauteng Department of Education and currently involves 20 high schools in the Johannesburg area, benefiting 360 learners under the age of 21, in Grades Eight to 12.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
“We gathered on Saturday with the top four qualifying schools from the league,” said Setlogane Manchidi, head of CSI for Investec. “The schools are also feeder schools in Investec Corporate Social Investment’s flagship Promaths programme, which provides additional tuition in maths and science for learners in Grades 10 to 12 – so this league has always been about much more than just the game on the field.”
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
The first semi-final saw Sebetsa-O-Tholemoputso Secondary School draw two-all to Dr Beyers Naude, resulting in penalties. It was Dr Beyers Naude that took the nail-biting win on sudden death. The second semi was Lamula Jubilee Secondary School who unfortunately lost 1-0 to Lavela Secondary School. The final also went to penalties after concluding in a draw. Dr Beyers Naude finally clinched the win 5-4, celebrating like only football lovers can, with many of the players absolutely overwhelmed with the biggest win of their lives.
With all four teams walking away with huge prize money, one cannot help but feel there were no losers at the 2018 Investec Soccer League finals.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
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